Liberty League

[NoSuchThingAsOffsides]

Guinn is out at Union - https://unionathletics.com/news/2021/10/29/guinn-moves-on-from-mens-soccer-coaching-position.aspx

Looks like it was announced the day before the final game vs RIT... does anyone know if he was actually removed before that game or may the story was just not scheduled to drop correctly?

[stlawus]

He hasn't coached this season.  Seems like a late formal announcement.

[Flying Weasel]

The article alludes to this fact:

In his final season of competition in 2019, Guinn guided Union to one of the best starts in program history, as the Dutchmen won their first eight games to match his 2007 squad for the most consecutive victories to start a season.

[deiscanton]

The article alludes to this fact:

In his final season of competition in 2019, Guinn guided Union to one of the best starts in program history, as the Dutchmen won their first eight games to match his 2007 squad for the most consecutive victories to start a season.

Andrew Knight (Union class of 2013), who has served as an assistant under Guinn, coached Union this season as the interim head coach.

[NoSuchThingAsOffsides]

I guess that is what happens when I'm not able to pay much attention throughout the year and try to catch up quick towards the end... I saw the note about 2019 but with the odd timing of the article wasn't sure what to think of it. Must have been on a leave of absence for the year and then made it official?

[stlawus]

SLU picked a great time to play their best game of the year.  Vassar barely got any good chances, with the best being a garbage time PK that was saved.   Sibanda rose to the occasion as did the seniors on the back line.   The only blemish on the day was Da'Vaughn Anderson picking up his 5th yellow at the end of the game which means he'll be out against RPI.  Luckily for the Saints some young wingers have been playing well.

I wonder what this does for Vassar's pool C chances.

[deutschfan]

That is an excellent question.  My guess is they still get in because they are 4-1-1 against ranked teams and a loss to an unranked team seems to have less of an impact on one's stead in the selection committee's mind than a ranked loss, as counter-intuitive as that seems.  However, they have been dominated their last two games at home and would be crawling into the playoffs as a road team probably going against one of the better NESCACS or a Cortland or Montclair State.  Their last strong performance was against SLU who you note really turned it around and was impressive today.  SLU still has to win out to play after this weekend, but if they play like today they have a shot.

[ConnAlum]

That is an excellent question.  My guess is they still get in because they are 4-1-1 against ranked teams and a loss to an unranked team seems to have less of an impact on one's stead in the selection committee's mind than a ranked loss, as counter-intuitive as that seems.  However, they have been dominated their last two games at home and would be crawling into the playoffs as a road team probably going against one of the better NESCACS or a Cortland or Montclair State.  Their last strong performance was against SLU who you note really turned it around and was impressive today.  SLU still has to win out to play after this weekend, but if they play like today they have a shot.

Yeah you're right, that does sound counter-intuitive. Hypothetically if you had a team with the same exact record and same or very similar SoS, but Team A RvR = 2-2 and Team B RvR = 2-0 (but with two other losses v. unranked teams)....would the selection committee favor Team B? Or how would that work

[stlawus]

And now Skidmore with the upset.  Tough tests for SLU and Skidmore Saturday but they are 2 teams coming in hot!

[PaulNewman]

That is an excellent question.  My guess is they still get in because they are 4-1-1 against ranked teams and a loss to an unranked team seems to have less of an impact on one's stead in the selection committee's mind than a ranked loss, as counter-intuitive as that seems.  However, they have been dominated their last two games at home and would be crawling into the playoffs as a road team probably going against one of the better NESCACS or a Cortland or Montclair State.  Their last strong performance was against SLU who you note really turned it around and was impressive today.  SLU still has to win out to play after this weekend, but if they play like today they have a shot.

I have Vassar at 3-1 on RvR...how did you get to 4-1-1?

11-4-2   SoS probably around .580-.585. 

It is counter-intuitive but I doubt the loss even if ranked would move the needle much.  Although the extra loss does still hurt, as 11-4-2 versus 12-4-2 or 13-4-2 is getting dicey with so many teams having sky-high SoSs.

[deutschfan]

Your right.  Some teams have moved in and out.  Assuming RIT stays ranked, RIT is their only ranked loss unless West Conn moves up.  Hobart has dropped out so the tie comes off.  Maybe Ithaca moves up. Their ranked wins are New Paltz; RPI. Manhattanville, and perhaps Stevens.  Judging from the press release after the game the Vassar staff believes their season is over.  If RPI runs the table it is difficult to see another LL team getting a pool C if Vassar doesn't.  Skidmore's and SLU's wins wiped out the teams with the two best Pool C chances. 

[Mr.Right]

So LL has:

SLU at RPI   11am
Skidmore v Ithaca  1:30pm

Even with Vassar losing 2 games in a row who is going to jump them in the Regional Rankings? Oneonta has been eliminated from the SUNYAC tournament. RIT is out of LL tournament. The only two teams that could jump Vassar are RPI and New Paltz and Vassar beat both teams in the head to head. If I were Vassar I would be rooting against New Paltz and RPI this weekend. I think they sneak in as a Last 4 in / First 4 out team.

[deutschfan]

Excellent per usual.  New Paltz loses its semi-final to Oswego who is having quite a run and the post game article says that New Paltz's season is done.  Vassar sits at number 2 in the region.  Even if RPI wins out its wins will be against unranked opponents and it will maintain its abysmal RvR ratio.  If RPI stumbles, its season may be over.  Judging by the lack of quality results in non-conference games overall, the league's national impact declined from 2019 and I don't believe whoever goes to the dance will be staying very long.

[LL_Alum]

Excellent per usual.  New Paltz loses its semi-final to Oswego who is having quite a run and the post game article says that New Paltz's season is done.  Vassar sits at number 2 in the region.  Even if RPI wins out its wins will be against unranked opponents and it will maintain its abysmal RvR ratio.  If RPI stumbles, its season may be over.  Judging by the lack of quality results in non-conference games overall, the league's national impact declined from 2019 and I don't believe whoever goes to the dance will be staying very long.

I don't know I think that the LL scheduled pretty well, but a number of non-conference opponents who usually perform well had down seasons. UofR, Brandeis, Plattsburg, Oneonta once they fell off the map in the SUNYAC, Williams etc. all had down seasons. I think what will really hurt the league is the bevy of favorites in other conferences who have gone down. I think that's pushed Vassar to the wrong side of the bubble.

[Saint of Old]

Vassar Coach really deserves to go out with a dance.
The guy seems to be a class act.

There are no fairytales in football though... Greatest player of all time was escorted off the field by a nurse (and he wasn't hurt)  to end his career.
Platini looking at charges... Again.